Diamond Cross stones have been designed and developed specifically for use with the Precision Sharpening System and are manufactured to the highest standards providing uncompromising rates of abrasion; Always resulting ina fine durable edge for chisels and plane irons alike. Diamond Cross stones are highly durable and won't break, chip, crack or hollow unlike their traditional counterparts such as oil stones, waters stones and ceramics. Diamond cross stones are almost maintenance free other than an occasional cleaning with an eraser; they require no special storage and promise to deliver consistently fine edges on tools for a very long time. Unique surface pattern: With all diamond sharpening stones pasting can occur. This is where a mixture of debris from the sharpening process mix with dirt to clog the diamond stone surface which reduces the abrasion rate of the stone. This occurs more on a continuous coated diamond surface stone as there is nowhere for the this spent material to go. The diamond cross pattern provides specifically designed relief recesses where the waste material is forced during sharpening thus reducing the pasting effect and reducing the need to frequently clean. Increased size: The new stones are larger than the originals with an increased sharpening surface area of just over 10%. That means more abrasion, quicker sharpening and better results. Size: 3 x 1" (76 x 25mm). Finger recessed backing plates: The backing plates are now recessed at both ends to make it easier and quicker to remove from the diamond stone from the PSS carriage when changing over to a different diamond grit. The same backing plate color to grit coding has been maintained as before.